Aa
Venting about the "rides" in Limboland Unamusement Park....
First, you feel bad/strange/shaky/numb, and go to see the doctor, who runs some tests, and you win a free ticket to Limboland Unamusement Park!
We've all been on the rollercoaster, we've all stood in line for Hope, with happy music playing, nervously smiling, worrying, fidgeting, starting to believe. Then we get up to go through the gate, only to told that we don't fit the criteria for this ride, or its closed down for repairs, or the operator is on vacation in Fiji.
We've also all slogged through the seemingly endless desert, seeing the refreshment stands in the distance, but not quite being able to reach them.
I'm not going to mention the really scary rides; the ones that make you pee your pants or worse.
I just had to climb off a rather pleasant ride; not quite hope, but more like a possiblilty of something changing so that the safety bar that had closed too tightly on me at first might be loosening up, and I might be able to stand in line for Hope.
I wrote Monday about seeing my cardiologist, how great he was, how happy he was to put an end to my MS neuro's theory about my brain lesions that kept her from looking any farther because she thought she had the answer, only it was totally wrong.
He said he would be glad to put it in writing, and send it to my PCP and we could forward it to my neuro.
I called as soon as I got home, having realized that I only had a week before I saw my neuro, explained the situation, that I needed the chart notes before the end of the week, and was told that they would take care of it, and call me as soon as the chart notes were ready.
Being in the neighborhood (and eager to see the chart notes), I stopped by his office today, and had to work my way up to their Director of Operations. She said that Dr. P. hadn't DICTATED his notes from Monday's visit yet, and he was doing a procedure in the Cath Lab until 5 pm.
I remained calm, but told her how important it was that I have those notes tomorrow, as my appt. is Mon. morning and I needed to get them tomorrow. She told me she would leave a note for Dr. P. I told her who I had spoken with on Monday, that I made it clear to both of them that I needed those notes. Not having them would delay my gettting proper treatment.
She raised her eyebrows and looked at me, so I just burst out with "I have a brain full of lesions that my neurologist thinks is caused by small vessel ischemic disease, which Dr. P. says is not possible, not true. Without a report from Dr. P. my neuro would continue to do NOTHING because she has saddled me with the wrong probable diagnosis.
She gave me her card, told me she would do what she could. I thanked her.
Is it normal for a doctor to not even dictate his notes until Friday after a Monday morning appointment? Am I wrong in feeling a little hopeless at this point? How accurate will the notes be with so much time in beteen appt. and dictation?
Deep breath; I suppose he could have them dictated already, but the office staff wasn't allowed to print them out and give them too me without him signing off that they were transcribed properly. Wouldn't they just say that then?
I suppose he could have an excellent memory; he did seem to be very clear about my history. I doubt that he could forget that theory; I don't think he had ever run across it before. Maybe I'll call in the morning and ask if I should fax a copy of my neuro's chart notes to refresh Dr. P.'s memory.
Still, I feel like I was promised a "Fast Pass" that gets you to the head of the line hours quicker, only to have it held way above my head, not knowing whether I can jump high enough to grab it.
Heck, the ride might be no fun when I get there, anyway.
Does anyone relate to what I just wrote?
Kathy
We've all been on the rollercoaster, we've all stood in line for Hope, with happy music playing, nervously smiling, worrying, fidgeting, starting to believe. Then we get up to go through the gate, only to told that we don't fit the criteria for this ride, or its closed down for repairs, or the operator is on vacation in Fiji.
We've also all slogged through the seemingly endless desert, seeing the refreshment stands in the distance, but not quite being able to reach them.
I'm not going to mention the really scary rides; the ones that make you pee your pants or worse.
I just had to climb off a rather pleasant ride; not quite hope, but more like a possiblilty of something changing so that the safety bar that had closed too tightly on me at first might be loosening up, and I might be able to stand in line for Hope.
I wrote Monday about seeing my cardiologist, how great he was, how happy he was to put an end to my MS neuro's theory about my brain lesions that kept her from looking any farther because she thought she had the answer, only it was totally wrong.
He said he would be glad to put it in writing, and send it to my PCP and we could forward it to my neuro.
I called as soon as I got home, having realized that I only had a week before I saw my neuro, explained the situation, that I needed the chart notes before the end of the week, and was told that they would take care of it, and call me as soon as the chart notes were ready.
Being in the neighborhood (and eager to see the chart notes), I stopped by his office today, and had to work my way up to their Director of Operations. She said that Dr. P. hadn't DICTATED his notes from Monday's visit yet, and he was doing a procedure in the Cath Lab until 5 pm.
I remained calm, but told her how important it was that I have those notes tomorrow, as my appt. is Mon. morning and I needed to get them tomorrow. She told me she would leave a note for Dr. P. I told her who I had spoken with on Monday, that I made it clear to both of them that I needed those notes. Not having them would delay my gettting proper treatment.
She raised her eyebrows and looked at me, so I just burst out with "I have a brain full of lesions that my neurologist thinks is caused by small vessel ischemic disease, which Dr. P. says is not possible, not true. Without a report from Dr. P. my neuro would continue to do NOTHING because she has saddled me with the wrong probable diagnosis.
She gave me her card, told me she would do what she could. I thanked her.
Is it normal for a doctor to not even dictate his notes until Friday after a Monday morning appointment? Am I wrong in feeling a little hopeless at this point? How accurate will the notes be with so much time in beteen appt. and dictation?
Deep breath; I suppose he could have them dictated already, but the office staff wasn't allowed to print them out and give them too me without him signing off that they were transcribed properly. Wouldn't they just say that then?
I suppose he could have an excellent memory; he did seem to be very clear about my history. I doubt that he could forget that theory; I don't think he had ever run across it before. Maybe I'll call in the morning and ask if I should fax a copy of my neuro's chart notes to refresh Dr. P.'s memory.
Still, I feel like I was promised a "Fast Pass" that gets you to the head of the line hours quicker, only to have it held way above my head, not knowing whether I can jump high enough to grab it.
Heck, the ride might be no fun when I get there, anyway.
Does anyone relate to what I just wrote?
Kathy
You would be proud of the factual restraint I showed in writing my report on my visit to my cardiologists! :o)
Kathy
Kathy
Don't forget to leave out the cardiologist's adjectives (however appropriate) used to describe the neuro! ;D
I'm pretty sure they do the transcription right there at the office; most likely with a software program.
The problem in my case was that the doctor didn't have time to do his dictation. Even on Friday, when there was hope that the computer system would be up and running, the doctor was called to the hospital and didn't have a chance to get the dictation done.
I got another e-mail telling me this just before closing time on Friday, telling me to call Monday and see when I can get my chart notes.
So, now I'm going to type up what I remember the cardiologist telling me, with a note that says the actual chart notes will be delivered soon. I'll explain the situation to my neurologist.
I'll have a lot to talk with her about; must get busy!
Kathy
The problem in my case was that the doctor didn't have time to do his dictation. Even on Friday, when there was hope that the computer system would be up and running, the doctor was called to the hospital and didn't have a chance to get the dictation done.
I got another e-mail telling me this just before closing time on Friday, telling me to call Monday and see when I can get my chart notes.
So, now I'm going to type up what I remember the cardiologist telling me, with a note that says the actual chart notes will be delivered soon. I'll explain the situation to my neurologist.
I'll have a lot to talk with her about; must get busy!
Kathy
I feel your anguish and frustration!! Hard to believe, but sometimes medical dictation is farmed out electronically to third-world countries (called "going offshore") to be transcribed because its cheaper. No telling where yours went. Usually a doctor's office would use local resources but . . .
I already got a call-back from the Director of Operations; apparently the part of their computer system that does the dictation and transcribing has been down, which explains the delay.
She said that they have been working on it, and their IT guy says that it will be fixed this weekend.
She asked what time my appointment was, and said to call her when they open, and we'll try to work out a way for me to get my chart notes. They open at 8 am, my appointment's at 10:30. It's still possible that I can pick up the chart notes and take them with me.
If that fails, I may be able to have them faxed to my neurologist directly, if such a thing is possible.
If nothing else, I can pick them up after my appointment, make copies for myself, and then drop off a copy for my neurologist. Heading for that Hope line again, cautiously.
:o)
kathy
She said that they have been working on it, and their IT guy says that it will be fixed this weekend.
She asked what time my appointment was, and said to call her when they open, and we'll try to work out a way for me to get my chart notes. They open at 8 am, my appointment's at 10:30. It's still possible that I can pick up the chart notes and take them with me.
If that fails, I may be able to have them faxed to my neurologist directly, if such a thing is possible.
If nothing else, I can pick them up after my appointment, make copies for myself, and then drop off a copy for my neurologist. Heading for that Hope line again, cautiously.
:o)
kathy
I just sent an e-mail to my cardiologist's office; hope it helps!
Dear Ms.(Director of Operations)
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me yesterday when I came by your office to see about picking up a copy of my chart notes as I had discussed with two other employees on Monday not long after my visit with Dr. P.
As I mentioned, it is very important that I have those notes to help clear up the wrong diagnosis that my neurologist ( an MS specialist) has given me and then stopped looking for other reasons for my symptoms.
For more than 14 months, I have been suffering from tremors, fatigue, light-headedness, loss of balance, lessened mental acuity, odd parathesias, and more. As I stated yesterday, I had a brain MRI because of those symptoms, which showed many small lesions. They are not in a classic distribution for MS lesions, though the neuro-radiologist stated the distribution was most likely to be multiple sclerosis. My neurologist told me that they were most likely from small vessel ischemic disease.
I have no predisposing factors for small vessel ischemic disease, and asked if symptoms could come from ischemic lesions. My neurologist then came up with the theory that I had tiny strokes caused by my PSVT and those strokes caused my lsymptoms, and listed that in her chart notes.
After several months of getting testing done by several other doctors and ruling out other possible causes, I called Dr. P. to consult with him. I was very glad that I did, because he agreed with my PCP that I could not have had small strokes from the arrhythmias that I've had, and said that he would be glad to put it in writing.
I regret forgetting the date of my appointment with my MS specialist while I was at my appointment with Dr. P., but called as soon as I realized how soon it was; Monday morning, April 13.
I truly hope that it is possible for me to get a copy of the chart notes today, that Dr. P. has time to dictate them and your staff can transcribe them. The phone number where I can always be reached is xxx-xxx-xxxx. I will be at your office in less than a half hour after you call, so please have one of your employees call me when my chart notes are ready.
If they aren't ready today, I'll tell my neurologist what Dr. P. said and that I will hand-deliver a copy of the chart notes as soon as they are available. My neurologist is at OHSU, so faxing them would take more time than if I picked them up and delivered them to the desk at the office where she works.
Thank you once again for your help with this matter
Sincerely
Kathy
Dear Ms.(Director of Operations)
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me yesterday when I came by your office to see about picking up a copy of my chart notes as I had discussed with two other employees on Monday not long after my visit with Dr. P.
As I mentioned, it is very important that I have those notes to help clear up the wrong diagnosis that my neurologist ( an MS specialist) has given me and then stopped looking for other reasons for my symptoms.
For more than 14 months, I have been suffering from tremors, fatigue, light-headedness, loss of balance, lessened mental acuity, odd parathesias, and more. As I stated yesterday, I had a brain MRI because of those symptoms, which showed many small lesions. They are not in a classic distribution for MS lesions, though the neuro-radiologist stated the distribution was most likely to be multiple sclerosis. My neurologist told me that they were most likely from small vessel ischemic disease.
I have no predisposing factors for small vessel ischemic disease, and asked if symptoms could come from ischemic lesions. My neurologist then came up with the theory that I had tiny strokes caused by my PSVT and those strokes caused my lsymptoms, and listed that in her chart notes.
After several months of getting testing done by several other doctors and ruling out other possible causes, I called Dr. P. to consult with him. I was very glad that I did, because he agreed with my PCP that I could not have had small strokes from the arrhythmias that I've had, and said that he would be glad to put it in writing.
I regret forgetting the date of my appointment with my MS specialist while I was at my appointment with Dr. P., but called as soon as I realized how soon it was; Monday morning, April 13.
I truly hope that it is possible for me to get a copy of the chart notes today, that Dr. P. has time to dictate them and your staff can transcribe them. The phone number where I can always be reached is xxx-xxx-xxxx. I will be at your office in less than a half hour after you call, so please have one of your employees call me when my chart notes are ready.
If they aren't ready today, I'll tell my neurologist what Dr. P. said and that I will hand-deliver a copy of the chart notes as soon as they are available. My neurologist is at OHSU, so faxing them would take more time than if I picked them up and delivered them to the desk at the office where she works.
Thank you once again for your help with this matter
Sincerely
Kathy
I think they sat next to each other in school, and skipped class on the days when they learned to show compassion, interactive listening, etc.
I know that there are some excellent neuros out there, and I'm grateful for all the ones that have helped so many people, especially our forum family members.
I just wish I could meet one.
:o)
Kathy
I know that there are some excellent neuros out there, and I'm grateful for all the ones that have helped so many people, especially our forum family members.
I just wish I could meet one.
:o)
Kathy
Sounds like we've been seeing some of the same doctors, or at least they sat next to each other in school!
Well, this was supposed to be a rant thread, and we have plenty to rant about.
I was stunned, mainly because I'm used to reports that are ready in a couple of days at the most; I thought all doctors dictated their reports as soon after the appointment as possible.
I think there was a breakdown in communication; I would have appreciated knowing that it takes longer to get reports from that office when I told them I needed it by the end of this week.
A friend that works with doctors told me that it often takes quite a while to get a report; guess I've just been pretty lucky up until now (when I was really counting on it!).
I'll do like Lulu suggested and tell my neurologist what the cardiologist said (leaving out the "nuts" and "looney" comments), and tell her that I will deliver his report as soon as I have it in my hands. Heck, he just might get it done tomorrow.
What I need to focus on is whether it is time to insist on seeing a different neurologist. I'll see how she responds to my cardio's report, explains not responding to my prior complaint regarding her chart notes that didn't match my visit (yes, Sunnytoday, there should be a ride for that), and whether or not she'll order my 3T MRIs.
Oh, and I think I'm ready for the Tilt-a-Whirl, too. VNG, Computerized Posturography, whatever. It's time I stand up and make it clear how much my light-headedness/dizziness/vertigo, whatever-you-call-it messes up my life, even if I'm not totally flunking her balance tests. I think she's only note it if I actually hit the floor.
Hugs all around,
Kathy
I was stunned, mainly because I'm used to reports that are ready in a couple of days at the most; I thought all doctors dictated their reports as soon after the appointment as possible.
I think there was a breakdown in communication; I would have appreciated knowing that it takes longer to get reports from that office when I told them I needed it by the end of this week.
A friend that works with doctors told me that it often takes quite a while to get a report; guess I've just been pretty lucky up until now (when I was really counting on it!).
I'll do like Lulu suggested and tell my neurologist what the cardiologist said (leaving out the "nuts" and "looney" comments), and tell her that I will deliver his report as soon as I have it in my hands. Heck, he just might get it done tomorrow.
What I need to focus on is whether it is time to insist on seeing a different neurologist. I'll see how she responds to my cardio's report, explains not responding to my prior complaint regarding her chart notes that didn't match my visit (yes, Sunnytoday, there should be a ride for that), and whether or not she'll order my 3T MRIs.
Oh, and I think I'm ready for the Tilt-a-Whirl, too. VNG, Computerized Posturography, whatever. It's time I stand up and make it clear how much my light-headedness/dizziness/vertigo, whatever-you-call-it messes up my life, even if I'm not totally flunking her balance tests. I think she's only note it if I actually hit the floor.
Hugs all around,
Kathy
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Jer.%2017:9;&version=47;
Just a thought that popped into my head.
Just a thought that popped into my head.
Even though I called the medical board and turned my disability worker loose on my old neuro I still do not have the chart notes and only dictated notes for three appts. All of them are full of lies and BS. Things he said he did and he didn't, things he did and then wrote they were normal.
I hope you have more luck than I have. I am fed up with it all.
Sorry...ranting there
terry
I hope you have more luck than I have. I am fed up with it all.
Sorry...ranting there
terry
Well honey...at least we are all in the same boat...we may all be drowning but at least we are together...right??? I understand where you are coming from completely and it may surprise you that when I saw that new neuro back on February 2nd...his secretary told me he is slow at doing his dictation but it is April 9th isn't it?? I was told that I would get a copy of his notes but so far nothing...guess I should do the call back thing yet again...grrrr:(.
I wonder if we should all take a chance and every time a doctor promises us something perhaps we should ask if what they are saying is true or is it just something to get our butt's out of their office??? Where do they get off making promises anyway when they know they are not going to keep them...we are expected to let them know if we can't make it to a special appointment or scheduled event and if we don't some even charge $$$!!! Our time and health is just as if not more important than theirs and I say enough is enough!
Sorry to take up room on your rant page Kathy but I sure would like to know when we are going to be heard by someone with the power to make some changes?? I know the odds are slim to none but that doesn't take any of our frustration away does it?
Good luck though honey and let us know the next installment when you hear something ok? I will be watching for your next post!
Lots of hugs,
Rena
I wonder if we should all take a chance and every time a doctor promises us something perhaps we should ask if what they are saying is true or is it just something to get our butt's out of their office??? Where do they get off making promises anyway when they know they are not going to keep them...we are expected to let them know if we can't make it to a special appointment or scheduled event and if we don't some even charge $$$!!! Our time and health is just as if not more important than theirs and I say enough is enough!
Sorry to take up room on your rant page Kathy but I sure would like to know when we are going to be heard by someone with the power to make some changes?? I know the odds are slim to none but that doesn't take any of our frustration away does it?
Good luck though honey and let us know the next installment when you hear something ok? I will be watching for your next post!
Lots of hugs,
Rena
Kathy,
Perhaps you can tell your neuro about the comments and then tell her the copy will be coming to her attention..... I'm sorry you have again used so much energy to produce so few rresults.
I'm in line for the Tilt-A-Wheel - vestibular rehabilitation evaluation is scheduled for Monday!
Lulu
Perhaps you can tell your neuro about the comments and then tell her the copy will be coming to her attention..... I'm sorry you have again used so much energy to produce so few rresults.
I'm in line for the Tilt-A-Wheel - vestibular rehabilitation evaluation is scheduled for Monday!
Lulu
ah Kathy- I'm on that rollercoaster with you... i think there ought to be a lew lines in your story about how a person feels when you get those reports, etc. to take to another doctor and you read them and they say the opposite of what you were expecting. :(
~Sunnytoday~
~Sunnytoday~
Thanks, Julie,
When I was talking to Dr. P., and told him I just wanted what he had said in writing, I said "maybe not in quite the words you just used", and we both grinned.
I'm calming down now, and will accept things as they come, and will prepare the other things I want to discuss with my neuro. I can tell her that what Dr. P. told me, and let her know that I will bring her a copy of his notes as soon as I receive them.
As for changing my appointment 'til later in the week; BIG ha ha! I've waited 5 months for this appointment.
I know I'm not alone, and I thank you and all the rest of you for being hear to listen.
Kathy
When I was talking to Dr. P., and told him I just wanted what he had said in writing, I said "maybe not in quite the words you just used", and we both grinned.
I'm calming down now, and will accept things as they come, and will prepare the other things I want to discuss with my neuro. I can tell her that what Dr. P. told me, and let her know that I will bring her a copy of his notes as soon as I receive them.
As for changing my appointment 'til later in the week; BIG ha ha! I've waited 5 months for this appointment.
I know I'm not alone, and I thank you and all the rest of you for being hear to listen.
Kathy
The thing I would be thinking about is whether by the time he dictates his notes, his emotional remarks of "she's looney" might subside a bit - even quite a bit especially now that he knows you will be taking these notes to the neuro.
I don't know how to play this hand you and many of us have been given. One the one hand we want to be proactive for ourselves, and on the other hand we don't want to be too aggressive as the person who can help us might be concerned that it will come back on him.
I hope you get your chart notes before your appointment. Is it even a possibility to change yoru appointment for later in the week? Doubt it, ha. Regardless, having his notes in writing stating that in his opinion this is NOT SVID would be very helpful for your case.
At least know that you are not the only one in this unamusement park. You have many friends who are standing in the same line you are waiting for that next ride.
Love and hugs,
Julie
I don't know how to play this hand you and many of us have been given. One the one hand we want to be proactive for ourselves, and on the other hand we don't want to be too aggressive as the person who can help us might be concerned that it will come back on him.
I hope you get your chart notes before your appointment. Is it even a possibility to change yoru appointment for later in the week? Doubt it, ha. Regardless, having his notes in writing stating that in his opinion this is NOT SVID would be very helpful for your case.
At least know that you are not the only one in this unamusement park. You have many friends who are standing in the same line you are waiting for that next ride.
Love and hugs,
Julie
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
